IRISH VIEWS ON THE JANUARY 26-27 FOREIGN MINISTERS

C O N F I D E N T I A L DUBLIN 000039

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/21/2019
TAGS: EUN PREL PGOV IS RS UP EI
SUBJECT: IRISH VIEWS ON THE JANUARY 26-27 FOREIGN MINISTERS
MEETING (GAERC)

REF: A. A DUBLIN 38

B. B STATE 4297

Classified By: Pol/Econ Section Chief Ted Pierce; Reasons 1.4 (B) and (
D)

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Summary
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1. (C) On January 22, PolOff delivered reftel demarche to
Brian Glynn, European Correspondent, Department of Foreign
Affairs. Glynn stated that in light of the current situation
in the Middle East, the agenda has been pared back
dramatically and will include only the Middle East,
Russia-Ukraine, and Guantanamo. Ireland is supportive of the
EU position towards Israel, and further, joins a small group
of EU nations in supporting the proposed UN inquiry into the
breach of humanitarian law. Ireland is committed to a
unified EU approach to the Russia-Ukraine gas dispute.
Finally, Glyn cited recent statements by Minister for Justice
Ahern that Ireland would be willing to accept Guantanamo
detainees as a part of a broader EU resettlement program
(Reftel A). He questioned the objectivity of the Czech
Presidency, but indicated that it has thus far made good
progress in the gas dispute issue. End Summary.


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Middle East
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2. (C) Glynn stated the EU's top priorities are border
crossings, continuance of the cease fire, and humanitarian
aid. He believes that the near term strategy will be the
primary focus and that the January 23 meeting will result in
further details of the strategy. During the January 21
meeting with Israeli Foreign Minister Livni, the EU stressed
that Israel had 27 friends in the room and that they were
focused on improving conditions on the ground that would
allow them to deepen that friendship. Glynn added that
Ireland is fully supportive of the proposed UN inquiry into
the breach of humanitarian law and that it is joined at
present by Belgium, Cyprus, and Greece. He stated that
Ireland will support the UN Secretary General's goals,
whatever they may be.

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Russia-Ukraine
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3. (C) Glynn believes that the Czech presidency has been
relatively successful in navigating the gas dispute issue.
He added that it is extremely important that the EU have a
strong unified voice lest Russia "pick them off one by one."
The issue has not been at the forefront of Irish policy as
Ireland is at the tail end of the pipeline. However, he
referred to remarks made by Eamon Ryan, Ireland's Minister
for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources that it is
bizarre that Ireland is having this problem when it has its
own gas reserves off-shore.

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Guantanamo
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4. (C) On January, 20, a spokesman for the Minister for
Justice indicated that Ireland would be willing to accept
inmates if the EU adopts such an agreement. Glynn suggested
that this policy change is being driven by two key
developments. First, EU countries feared being seen as
complicit with the Bush administration. The inauguration of
President Obama lifts this barrier. Second, the global
economic crisis has greatly limited the funds available to
provide real assistance on large issues such as Afghanistan.
As a result, Glynn believes that the EU will agree to a
program and that this will be a relatively "quick win."

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Comment
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5. (C) As an aside, Glynn indicated that the Czech presidency
has performed poorly in its handling of the issues
surrounding the middle east peace process and that it is not
perceived as an objective president. He likened it to an
Irish proverb "sense through the head"- the Czechs are
rushing in at full speed without the range of experience to
support their actions and as a result, are hitting their
heads on sharp corners. End Comment.
FAUCHER